Just thought I'd start the general G450X discussion as there does seem to be a fair few members in this section that have one. There's also alot of interest in the bike, both positive and negative from none owners.

Anything related to the G450x can be discussed freely, from recalls, warranty jobs, servicing, customer satisfaction, suspension adjustments, aftermarket parts etc.

I'll get the ball rolling of course!

I've not used the G450X since early sept. However, I have noticed a puddle of oil underneath the bike increase in size over time. After poking a finger in the stuff it's sticky so I'm assuming it's air filter oil that has leaked out from the airbox and from following traces back on the frame it appears this is the case.

I have heard somewhere that the airbox can be prone to cracking on the left hand side and on wrong side of the airfilter, is this the case? Has anyone else had this problem before and has it been replaced under warranty? Is this even a problem or is it part of the airbox design?

Discuss.

Cheers.

I picked mine up in October of 2008. It ad to be replaced (the entire bike) due to an ignition rotor failure -2 times). The replacement bike has been great. I added some aftermarket items- zeta folding levers, hand guards, Leo Vince silencer, Tourtech mapping toggle switch and a few misc items. Switched the CS sprocket from 15t to 14t- relatively easy to do. I have over 400 miles, mostly east coast trails and some road getting to the trail. The chain has not needed adjustment. I set the sag on the rear shock and went 4 clicks soft on the fork compression. The bike handles well and have had no issues-except a blown fork seal. The fork seal is being covered under warranty!!
Gripes- the seat is in fact horrible-hard as a rock. The plastic was replaced under a warranty recall as was the thermoswitch for the cooling fan.

The bike is easy to work on (no rear linkage- just pop a grease gun onto the swingarm pivot). Air cleaner is easy to get to as is the battery. I previosly have had 2 WR250f's and wr 250 two stroke. The bmw is different bt it works. Traction is great (maybe a placebo) but with the OEM street knobbies- i've made it through some nasty single track and hills.

TL

Ninja 1 said:

It's engine oil. The crankcase breather is routed into the airbox. Any 'breathed' out oil, or from laying it over, collects in the bottom of the airbox and when on the sidestand it runs out and down the frame on the LHS.

Got mine Feb '09, no recall's except plastic (waited until I broke mine).

Love mine. Got a full Remus system. Could turn better, but with .46 fork springs and a revalve it is much better. Running 13/50. Mostly single trail and enduro racing.

Got 3400+km's (83 hours) on it now, no valve adjustment or metal in the oil :thumbsup:

Innovation and ergonomics are what I love, it's just so slim and easy to move around on. I actually find myself moving far more than on any other bike I have owned. I find my air filter stays cleaner and drier than all my mates. The least, the only dealer in WA has little knowledge or interest in the G450X, which is very frustrating. I am ordering a piston from the US, at nearly half the price with postage to OZ.

Search me.....99% of my posts on TT are G450X based.

Who on TT has the most miles/hours on their G450X?

This bike does indeed intrigue me but already had bought My aprilia 450.Wonder how they compare to each other?I know the beemer is alittle bit cheaper.

I owned mine for 5 months from new and it spent 3 months on and off at the dealer getting fixed.

I paid $AUD12850 for it and they bought it back off me at the end of it after I'd had a gutful of it's (and their) problems for $AUD8500.

When it was going I liked it, but unfortunately that wasn't often. Shame. It had heaps of potential.

cluney said:

So what actually happened? This is the time and place. Could help someone else. I know you had charging and 4th gear problems on DBW, then low coolant......what was the final straw?

That's a real damn shame pay so much for the bike an its down more then ya riding it.I dont understand it ya can buy a bargain budget bike like a honda or any of the big 3 beat the piss out of it an it still runs.The more expensive bikes same w cars ya spend big bucks and its like a high priced woman a real head case.When I spend 10 grand on a bike I expect it to not blow up in the 1st 500 miles.Ya think youd get what ya pay for time will tell w my ride.

The valve assembly collets etc became " unattached"-dealers explanation. There were problems with the cylinder and piston as well.

The final straw was waiting for 2 months straight for it to be fixed under warranty and by the second month they still hadn't got the parts.

I just got tired of being jerked around. Whats the point of having a 2 year warranty if month after month of that 2 years is spent in the workshop.

I know not all the G450's were dogs like mine. Some are performing impeccably from what I've heard.

I blame my dealer more than the bike. They should have swapped it for a new one after my second lot of major dramas at 18hrs on the clock.

Has anyone found a cross reference oil filter for the BMW? does a KTM or Honda or yamaha or???? oil filter fit?

Hi Flo Filtro HF611......to suit Sherco. Got 10 for $10 each:banana:

G450X is same diameter as long RFS filter, but longer and same length as SX 4T filter, but larger diameter:banghead:

oztrails said:

Fair Dinkum Oztrails.... the Hi Flo HF611 is the same as the BMW filter??
The same dimensions??
Can I ask where you get buy them from??.

For general info.. I have 3125km and 86 hours on my G450X.
Have not had a moment of trouble with it. Still runs the original battery!!
Easily the best and most reliable dirtbike I have ever owned

I had the unfortunate experience to have a fork seal blow with 470 miles and about 23 hours on the bike. The fork oil completely saturated the brake pads (it was the left fork leg). The dealer was willing to have the fork seal covered under warranty and I was willing to pay to have the right seal replaced at the same time. Turns out the brake pads had to be replaced as they were to saturated with oil. Much to my surprise, the dealer was able to have both fork seals and the brake pads replaced under warranty. Try that with any other dirt bike 0r street bike for that matter!!

...2500 miles and 100 hours.

I've had to replace the battery, the first one was defective and the dealer replaced it, under warranty, with a Honda battery; they would've had to order a BMW battery and the Honda one was in stock.

I have had to replace the sensor at the bottom of the radiator that regulates the fan. The new sensor worked fine for awhile, but not any more. I need to check if a fuse has blown.

I'm on my second radiator. I broke the first one in a crash. I'm wondering if the reason the G450X has such a narrow dimension is because they didn't add any side protection to the radiator.

I have not had the 70 hour re-build done. I don't plan on having it done unless something breaks and forces the issue. I really don't think I'm that hard on the bike. I'm a "C" rider.

I have also had all the recall stuff done as well.

I have a great dealer here in Phoenix and they are making every effort to make sure I have a good experience with this bike and I am.

The major improvements I have made include a Leo Vince header and exhaust and a GPR steering stabilizer; both work great.

I love the engine. I have a bad habit of lugging the engine a lot and I never seem to have problems.

That being said, I probably won't buy this bike again. I wish I would've bought a Honda CRF450X. There just isn't enough aftermarket support for the bike and I'm afraid they are going to discontinue making this bike all together, it got undeserved terrible reviews, and then there will be zero aftermarket support and innovation.

For now though, I'm keeping the bike and loving it.

Vortex: There's a boatload of aftermarket goodies for the GX. Go to www.sierrabmwonline.com for lots of Touratech & Speedbrain parts; service & shipping are great. You can also go directly to www.touratech.com. You didn't mention being aware of these sites so hope this helps. Cripes, there's more aftermarket parts than I can afford! Check them out....

Bob in AZ

got about 35 hours and 650 miles on mine, moslty track with some trails. had the forks redone by Aftershock Suspension so it actually handles big hits. Only issue was a failed fuel pump at 20 hours.

Haven't done any of the recals and only just now broke the rear fender on a cold day after tumbling it for the 4th or 5th time.

Just did my first oil change and no negative effects.

Bike runs great and handles everything I've thrown at it. I would like a different internal gear ratio as well as a sharper turning bike, but overall I like it a lot..and it's street legal!

Teach McNeil said:

do you have a california legal bike or a 49 state?

150 hrs on mine of hard racing at A level.
bad fuel pump fixed by warranty
bent bars
broken plastic
broken rear brake lever
burnt clutch
all in all awesome open course hare scramble and enduro weapon.
2010 u.s. race team almost finalized and will be unleashed on the world by jan 11 just a few more contracts to work out then will have a bike and team that will get the word out just how good it is here in the u.s. mrket

Hi All,
Just got my G450X in early December. Traveled through a blizzard to get it so I have not had a chance to even do the 2hr break in yet.
BMW Canada have had the bike on for $8000 with an aftermarket slipon and decal kit. BMW Finance is also offering really low interest rates as well.
With a 3 year warranty, the cost of a new KTM, hard to find Husqvarnas, and a total lack of a decent, street legal, off road worthy Japanese bike, the G450 was a no brainer.
Really looking forward to Spring. Alberta winters are way too long.:banghead:
I want to start getting some addons for it and the first will be some handguards.
Anyone have some advice onto which ones fit best and what size are the handlebars. Looking at some Moose aluminum wraparounds. Would they work?
Always bought second-hand bikes and they already had handguards so I am a total noob in that regard.
Really great reading about everyones ups and downs with the G. All very helpful.

Has anyone seen a review on the 2010 BMW G450X yet? Looks like the new bike has a few changes listed, nothing too major, but it would be nice to see a review.